Spotlight

Ravines Golf Club - hole 9

Good luck beating Ravines Golf Club, a tough Arnold Palmer design in Saugatuck

Ravines Golf Club doesn't let golfers relax. From the first hole to the final fairway, there's always an obstacle to clear, a challenge to meet. On a bad day, this demanding Arnold Palmer design will steal half a dozen of your golf balls. On a good day, it's a peaceful round through the woods.
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Macatawa Legends Golf & Country Club

Macatawa Legends Golf & C.C. lives on in Holland, Mich.

Almost every beach town along Lake Michigan offers a good public golf course. Holland almost lost theirs. Macatawa Legends Golf & C.C., a Ray Hearn design, went into receivership in 2009, but you would never know it these days. Once the recession cleared, Macatawa Legends came back to life.
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Manistee National - Cutters' Ridge golf course - 18th

Bring your 'A' game to survive Cutters' Ridge at Manistee National

How good are you? Cutters' Ridge at Manistee National Golf & Resort separates the haves from the have-nots. This Jerry Matthews design from 2000 just might be the toughest course, yard for yard, in Michigan. Wetlands lurk seemingly everywhere, and its slope from the tips soars to 149.
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Michigan Golf Destinations

  • Northwest Michigan

    The most coveted vacation spot in Michigan is the northwest coast, where you'll find many of the state's highest-ranked resort golf courses as well as charming lakes and bayside towns. Much of the state's most spectacular coastline can be found in the northwest, making it an ideal summer haven for boaters and those seeking natural, freshwater beaches.

    Eldorado, located just south of Cadillac, has built a reputation as one of the best golf values in the Great Lakes area. The championship layout sprawls across rolling hills laced with flowering wetland areas. The golf course features elevated tees and generous green complexes with subtle but tricky undulations.
    The 18-hole Gaylord Golf Club in Gaylord, MI is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1975. Gaylord Golf Club measures 6472 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 129 and a 71.3 USGA rating. The course features 4 sets of tees for different skill levels.
    Hawk's Eye Golf Resort in Bellaire is one of the top 15 public courses in the state of Michigan. The championship course is the centerpiece of a tucked away golf community in the northern part of the state.
  • Southeast Michigan

    The majority of Michigan's population and golf courses are based in and around metro Detroit in the state's southeast corner. They love their sports in Detroit, and they especially enjoy golf in the Motor City. While there are plenty of exclusive clubs for the auto industry elite, a smattering of daily-fee courses make the game affordable and accessible for everyone.

    The 18-hole Dearborn Hills Golf Course in Dearborn, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1923. Designed by Warner Bowen, Dearborn Hills Golf Course measures 4495 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 100 and a 61.
    The 18-hole Rolling Meadows Country Club in Whitmore Lake, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1978. Designed by William Shively, Rolling Meadows Country Club measures 6474 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 119 and a 69.
    Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown sits along the shoreline of its namesake lake. The location is a popular bird-watching spot with more than 300 species recorded. Golfers might catch a glimpse of a bald eagle and broad-wing hawk sightings are almost definite since the area is one of the best hawk-watching sites in North America.
  • Southwest Michigan

    Along Lake Michigan's coastline in the southwest corner of the state, a succession of small beach towns provide a quick escape from the city life of Detroit and Chicago. Value golf courses are a constant theme in Michigan, and the southwest corner is no exception.

    Wallinwood Springs Golf Club is bordered by the scenic Grand River on its eastern side. The challenging layout boasts an island green, an island tee, and a peninsula fairway. The golf course has two distinctly different nines, beginning with an open Scottish-links layout before moving onto the back nine, which is enclosed by mature trees.
    Lake Doster Golf Club in Plainwell is ranked as one of the top 25 golf courses in Michigan. The layout has undulating greens and watered fairways that will test even the most experienced golfers. The course is home to the affectionately nicknamed "Little Monster," its third hole, which boasts a reputation as the toughest par 3 in the state.
    Located just three miles south of downtown Portland, Willow Wood Golf Club sprawls across acres of rolling countryside laced with meandering creeks and ribbons of mature woodlands. The naturally hilly terrain lent itself perfectly to a challenging championship course. It's a layout that will keep you on your toes but it's not overly punishing for the high handicapper.
  • Northeast Michigan

    While Michigan's northwest may be the more nationally known vacation region, the northeast part of the state boasts a collection of small towns and natural wonders worth exploring, too, including one of the Midwest's top golf destinations, Gaylord.

    The 18-hole Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway, MI is a public golf course that opened in 2000. Designed by Rees Jones, Black Lake Golf Club measures 7046 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 143 and a 74.
    The 18-hole Gaylord Golf Club in Gaylord, MI is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1975. Gaylord Golf Club measures 6472 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 129 and a 71.3 USGA rating. The course features 4 sets of tees for different skill levels.
    The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort sits along the western shore of Otsego Lake. As its name implies, the course blends seamlessly into the beautiful surroundings. The challenging layout requires accuracy so don't let the scenery distract you too much. Trees line the meandering fairways and water hazards come into play throughout. Strategically placed bunkers lurk along the greensides as well.
  • Upper Peninsula

    Wilderness is the big attraction in the Upper Peninsula. Hunting, fishing, hiking and boating are favorite pastimes of all "Yoopers." The summer golf season may be cruelly short, usually just June through September, but there are some real standout golf courses for those who make the trek.

    The 18-hole Escanaba Country Club in Escanaba, MI is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1924. Escanaba Country Club measures 6233 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 122 and a 69.3 USGA rating. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
    The 18-hole Gladstone Golf Course in Gladstone, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1936. Designed by A. H. Jolly, Gladstone Golf Course measures 6456 yards from the longest tees. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.
    The 18-hole Indian Lake Golf and Country Club in Manistique, MI is a public golf course that opened in 1927. Designed by John Barr and Mike Husby, Indian Lake Golf and Country Club measures 6538 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 133 and a 71.